Hammerstar - Hammerstar (2022)

While classic and traditional heavy metal is obscure and unpopular in America, it still lives in the underground. Hailing from the Arizona area, Hammerstar was created during the height of the COVID pandemic by vocalist Quimby Lewis (SkullView) and guitarist John "Dr Frankenshred" Remesnik (Commandment, Exiled, Frankenshred). The duo brought over bassist Robbie Erwin and drummer Tommy Higgins, both from Frankenshred.

Essentially, Hammerstar's quest was to create traditional "keep it true" metal. Influences include, among many, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Metal Church. Their metal is hard, heavy, and fast blurring that already blurry distinction between speed and power metal. Remesnik is basically a classic metal guitar shredder, so you can expect some very guitar-forward metal. His riffs are raw and assertive, his guitar solos soaring and fret-ripping monsters. As a vocalist, Lewis also fits the classic metal genre. He has a voice that's clear but traverses the lines of assertive to screamo. Underneath all this is a fierce rhythm section which delivers both the groove and hustle for the metal.

As for the songs, from the gate, they are as described: fast and heavy, leading to ambitious guitar solos. Notable picks include Power Of Metal, Burned Alive, Rise Above The Skies, and the shorter, roaring Hymn Of The Vikings. If there is a song that mellows (slightly), it's the seven minute closing metal anthem, What I Have Become. But its mild start only develops into something heavy and fast with a fine rising bass line with accompanying guitar solo to finish. All things considered, with their debut album, Hammerstar accomplishes their goal. This is classic, fast and heavy, keep it true, heavy metal, distinguished by epic guitar solos. If you like this synopsis, you will dig Hammerstar. Recommended.